The building of nearly 500 new homes at RAF West Ruislip has moved a step closer despite a row over the shape of the roofs.

Hillingdon councillors approved out-line plans for the development, which includes 415 residential units and an 80-bed care home.

Buildings in the complex, sited off High Road, Ickenham, are to be a mixture of heights with some as high as six storeys.

The homes will have flat roofs with solar panels, but there was opposition from those who felt the roofs should have been slanted.

Councillor John Hensley, who represents Ickenham, said afterwards: "Flat roofs are not conducive to the modern

way of living and will be detrimental to the street scene.

"A golden opportunity has been missed. After this was approved, it will be there for 70-80 years and there will not be another opportunity to discuss it.

"I put my suggestion for a pitched roof to the chairman, but he did not answer it."

His suggestion for pitched roofs had support from residents who feared the flat roofs could be prone to leaking rain-water, but the committee and architects agreed pitched roofs would not be in keeping with the design of the properties.

Rachel Moore, chairman of the Ickenham Residents' Association, said: "There are some areas we have concern over, but it should be a flagship development for Ickenham."

Between 30 and 50 per cent of the accommodation will be made up of social housing.

The site still needs approval from Transport for London and the highway authority, and there will be further meetings to agree a traffic plan and parking schemes.

Clive Jacob, the architect, said: "Using pitched roofs would mean we lose floor space, and then a number of units.

"The site will be a collection of places, with a neighbourhood green to give a sense of community."

Several residents were left unhappy with the outcome of the meeting, with one angrily storming out after the scheme was approved, shouting: "an absolute farce, the whole thing."

Councillor Philip Corthorne, who represents Ruislip, also expressed his disappointment at the lack of healthcare provision offered to the site, and added that he had 'grave concerns' over traffic access from the adjacent Aylsham Drive.